The only Disney-branded article on the market is the Disney Chase Visa Credit Card, which provides its user with unique rewards redeemable at the various Disney-branded establishments including Disney World. This article will present a thorough analysis of the Disney Credit Card, and the valuable rewards that the user can redeem through the various benefits offered by the card.

What is the Disney® Visa® Card from Chase?

Exclusive to Chase is the only credit card bearing the Disney name, the Disney credit card. There are two distinct Disney credit cards offered by Chase, the Disney Rewards Visa Card and the Disney Premier Visa card. While the two are somewhat different, they are largely the same and thus will be discussed as one for the most part, excepting where otherwise specified.

The Disney credit card is co-branded with Chase Bank, with the user gaining special perks, particularly the ability to earn Disney rewards dollars for each purchase. The card can be used anywhere, although the perks, as will be discussed extensively below, produces the most rewards when the user spends on Disney products or at Disney establishments.

Product Specifications

Some of the most important specs of a credit card to the consumer are the perks, and the potential for perks with the Disney credit card are extensive. Upon signing up, the Disney Premier credit card has a sign-up bonus of a $200 statement credit upon spending $500 during the first three months. For the Disney Rewards card, there is a $50 statement credit following the first purchase, and the potential of the $200 statement bonus if $500 is spent during the first three months of holding the card.

The perks extend beyond the sign-on credits for use of the Disney credit card. The perks of the card are particularly strong for spending made at Disney’s parks. For meal purchases at Be Our Guest, for example, there is a 10% cash back reward. There is also a 10% off select dining locations at Disney World and Disneyland, 10% off select merchandise at various Disney stores and online stores. Disney tours as well as spa treatments are Disneyland and Disney World are also subject to a 15% discount.

Additional Disney credit card-holder bonuses include special character experiences at Disneyland and Disneyworld, advance access to select discounts on Disney World vacations, and special 0% financing terms on particular Disney vacation packages. Users of the Disney credit card not only get discounts, but the ability to access vacations before the common customer.

Disney Rewards Program

The Disney Rewards program provides the Disney credit card holder with 1 or 2 Disney “cents” per dollar spent, for particular spending. Disney Rewards Visa cardholders get 1% back in Disney Rewards dollars on all purchases, while the Disney Premier Visa cardholder earns 2% back on spending at most Disney locations, as well as on gas, groceries, and restaurants, and generally 1% back on all other purchases made on the card.

Disney rewards points are redeemable for redemption cards, which can be used like cash at Disney locations in the United States, and select movie theaters. Premier cardholders can apply their Disney rewards points towards airfare purchases. The points never expire. Through a referral program, getting your friends to sign up for the Disney credit card will win you more points to apply to your Disney adventures.

Pricing

The annual fees associated with the Disney credit cards vary, with the Premier card holding an annual fee of $49, while the Disney Rewards card has no annual fee. The cards may be applied for through the Disney credit card portal provided by Chase Bank online.

How it Compares

Following is a consideration of how the Disney Credit Card compares to three other cards on the market, evaluating the competitiveness of the rates and perks offered by the card.

Disney® Premier Visa® Card from Chase

The Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card

Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express

Disney® Visa® Card from Chase

The Disney Visa credit card, also referred to above as the Disney Rewards card, is the entry-level Disney credit card. Like the Premier card, it has a number of perks, mainly of value to the Disney customer.

Price – $ of $, $$, $$$

There is no annual fee.

Ease of Use – 5-stars – (5-star rating system)

Can be used anywhere Visa credit cards are accepted, and the redemption and use of benefits are simple and easy.

Application Process – 4 stars – (5-star rating system)

An online-only application process may limit the ability of some individuals to capitalize upon the opportunity of the Disney credit card.

APR – 4 stars – (5-star rating system)

There is a six month 0% APR bonus following the purchase date on select Disney vacation packages, with a variable APR at 17.74% that varies with the market based on the Prime Rate. Cash advance APR rates are based on the Prime Rate, and are currently at 26.74%.

Benefits/Rewards – 4 stars – (5-star rating system)

The rewards program provides 1% back on all purchases towards Disney points, which can only be redeemed towards Disney purchases at parks or online.

PROS

$49 bonus after first purchase

$200 sign-on credit after spending $500 in three months

Extensive rewards and savings on Disney product purchases

CONS

Rewards can only be redeemed at Disney locations and online stores

The promotional 0% APR is relatively short at 6 months

Gets only half the rewards of the Disney Premier Visa Card

Disney® Premier Visa® Card from Chase

The Disney credit card has a broad range of benefits for the user to gain Disney points and perks. The Disney credit card is primarily of value for individuals looking to gain points that can be applied towards a vacation at Disneyland or Disney World, and to earn greater returns on spending for these vacations.

Price – $ of $, $$, $$$

The Premier card has an annual fee of $49.

Ease of Use – 5-stars – (5-star rating system)

Can be used anywhere Visa credit cards are accepted, and the redemption and use of benefits are simple and easy.

Application Process – 4 stars – (5-star rating system)

An online-only application process may limit the ability of some individuals to capitalize upon the opportunity of the Disney credit card.

APR – 4 stars – (5-star rating system)

There is a six month 0% APR bonus following the purchase date on select Disney vacation packages, with a variable APR at 17.74% that varies with the market based on the Prime Rate. Cash advance APR rates are based on the Prime Rate, and are currently at 26.74%.

Benefits/Rewards – 4 stars – (5-star rating system)

The rewards program ranges from 1-2% cash back on general purchases, with Disney-specific rewards for in-park spending. The Premier card gets 2% back on grocery, gas, and Disney purchases. What limits the value of these rewards is the fact that they can only be redeemed at Disney locations or online stores toward purchases of Disney products and experiences. Rewards can be applied toward airfare.

PROS

$200 sign-on credit after spending $500 in three months

Extensive rewards and savings on Disney product purchases

Cash back on all purchases

CONS

Rewards can only be redeemed at Disney locations and online stores

The promotional 0% APR is relatively short at 6 months

The Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card

Starwood Resorts is a subsidiary of Marriott International, with their American Express credit card providing the user with the ability to gain awards that may be applied at the various resorts owned by Starwood, in addition to the Marriot brand.

Price – $$ of $, $$, $$$

The annual fee is $95, although it is waived during the first year.

Ease of Use – 5-stars – (5-star rating system)

Can be used anywhere American Express credit cards are accepted.

Application Process – 4 stars – (5-star rating system)

Apply online.

APR – 4 stars – (5-star rating system)

The APR is variable, ranging from 16.99% to 20.99%, depending upon the creditworthiness and other aspects of the applicant at the time of account opening. APRs on cash advances are 26.99%.

Benefits/Rewards – 4 stars – (5-star rating system)

The Starwood credit card user can earn up to $200 in statement credits upon joining. $100 in statement credit is possible after making $1,000 in purchases on the card within the first three months of membership. The user may earn an additional $100 statement credit after the first purchase on the card at a participating Starwood Preferred Guest or Marriot Rewards hotel within the first six months of the account.The user gains SPG points through spending on the card. The SPG point return is 1% for general purchases, and 2% for purchases made at Starwood properties. Points can also be transferred to the airline partners of the Starwood properties, with the user receiving a 5,000 point bonus for every 20,000 points transferred.

PROS

Generous sign-on statement credit offers

Points can be used upon accrual, not at set dates throughout the year

CONS

Points only redeemable at Marriot or Starwood properties

No introductory 0% APR opportunity

Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express

The Hilton Honors Aspire Card provides exceptional rewards for spending at Hilton properties, with a relatively high annual fee and spending requirements to achieve rewards.

Price – $$$ of $, $$, $$$

There is an annual fee of $450 for the Hilton Honors Aspire Card.

Ease of Use – 5-stars – (5-star rating system)

Can be used anywhere that American Express is accepted.

Application Process – 4 stars – (5-star rating system)

Apply online only.

APR – 4 stars – (5-star rating system)

The APR is variable, ranging from 17.49% to 26.49%, based upon the creditworthiness of the applicant, and the Prime Rate. The cash advance APR rate is 26.99%, and may vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.

Benefits/Rewards – 4 stars – (5-star rating system)

After spending some $4,000 in purchases on the card within three months of starting membership, the user earns 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points. Purchases made at eligible hotels or resorts in the Hilton portfolio earn 14x the points. Purchases made on the card for eligible flights or car rentals, and even select U.S. restaurants, earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus points. All other purchases earn 3x Hilton Honors bonus points.

The user is given a weekend night reward upon signing up, and for each additional $60,000 spent on the card for purchases per calendar year. Points can be applied to stays at Hilton resorts and hotels, and towards upgrades and other related purchases.

PROS

High rewards potential

Up to $250 in statement credits annually for select Hilton spending

CONS

High annual fee

Points can only be redeemed at Hilton properties

Disney Credit Card – The Conclusion

The Disney credit card is a useful option for individuals who are looking to go to Disneyland or Disneyworld, and to maximize their discounts on the trip, and the rewards they realize through spending on the trip. Rewards for Disney-related spending are particularly high for the Disney credit card, and so using the card for Disney vacations and at Disney properties will generate the greatest yield for the user. The rewards can then be applied to future trips to gain even greater discounts and rewards.

The Disney credit card is of specific value for the Disney customer and can provide substantial discounts on Disney trips, as well as the greatest level of rewards for spending made on Disney trips, The card does also provide a return for general spending, although the levels are not as high as for other cards.

In contrast to the competition, the Disney credit card presents substantial rewards that are targeted to the user and can be redeemed like the other cards only at properties owned by the credit card offering brand. Disney does have added value in that it is a Visa card, which has broader acceptance over the American Express card.

Keep visiting the Wealth Maverick to learn how to make the most informed decisions concerning your finances. Like Disney magic, get your finances from “0” to “Hero” with the Wealth Maverick.

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